Groups that come to Rainbow Lodge are often made up of people who may be new. There are some fun, creative, non-threatening ways to encourage everyone to get to know each other. We found one icebreaker that could actually extend throughout a retreat. And if the actual "game" doesn't fit, you might find the questions to be of use in some other "challenge".

One way to seal the memories of your retreat is to take and post pictures - something that has become extremely easy these days.﻿Some groups appoint a "picture person" to be the photographer for a retreat (a nice way to involve someone who might otherwise not engage). This person would be tasked to capture some of the essence of the retreat and capture snaps of as many of the attendees as possible. What would you do with all those pictures? Consider:*Create an "on-the-fly" slide show and display it at the start of each session. Add some cool music, and run it through Rainbow Lodge's media rack and you have a fun moment or two. Or, save all the pics up and end your retreat with a slideshow for fun. *Upload the best to an album on Facebook (a personal page, or a church/organization page. Let us know and send us a link and we'll tell people about it on our page too. *Bring a photo printer to the retreat and print fun pics to distribute to participants as memories. What other picture ideas do you have? Feel free to comment!

As you plan your event at Rainbow Lodge it is always wise to keep the end in mind. It also helps to be very aware of the type of event you are planning. One thing that might help is understanding whether you are holding a retreat or a conference. There is a difference!This article from Ministry Serving Ministry might be helpful.

Sometimes you just need a few good suggestions to spark a new idea. If you're leading a men's retreat for your church you might find these ideas for Manly Men's Retreat themes a source of inspiration. Thanks Christian Camp Pro.

Taking a break from the routine stresses and distractions of life is refreshing – and one of the reasons retreats are so helpful. As you plan your retreat keep in mind that most people take at least 24 hours to unwind from the stress and activity of normal life. For many it takes at least that long to settle in to a comfortable relational place where connections and sharing might be deeper. If you plan only an overnight retreat you will likely miss an opportunity for participants to fully unwind and start to truly relax. (Of course it helps if you have a peaceful setting like that at Rainbow Lodge!).

It's difficult to build a sense of community on a one night outing. Time is needed playing, working, eating and studying together. Group dynamics really begin to develop after the second full day.

If you want a truly memorable retreat plan for at least 3 days and 2 nights as a minimum. It will make a difference.

Most of us have memories that are linked to music. It may be a 60's pop song or classic rock anthem. Maybe a silly song your family quotes back and forth. Young or old, there always seems to be something of a sound track behind the scenes of our lives. There is no denying that music can evoke powerful memories and help pave the way for new experiences and learning. Why not capitalize on that at your retreat. The rise of MP3 players has made it quite easy to curate a collection of music that will be meaningful to your group that can be played in the background during meeting breaks, free times, and maybe even as sing-alongs. You can plug your player, iPod, cell phone, etc. into the media rack at Rainbow Lodge and begin linking new memories. Might even be fun to have music of different generations. Pick just a few, put them on a loop, and let the connections begin.

Most churches seek to cover the costs of their retreats completely through participant fees, while realistically planning to assist those in their community who may not be able to afford to participate (with budgeted subsidies and scholarships). Remember that there are costs to your retreat that are above and beyond what the Lodge charges.

What are your costs? Some things to consider:

What is the cost charged by Rainbow Lodge per person? (found on your guest agreement). Multiply this number by the total number expected to attend- make sure to include all persons whether they are paying or not - e.g., speakers and presenters.

What are the speakers travel fees and honorarium?

How much are your supplies (decorations, treats, copies, etc.) going to cost?

Will you have promotional expenses?

How big is your postage bill for the retreat?

Any miscellaneous expenses?

Add all of the above to get your total estimated cost. Divide by your estimated number of guests to get a realistic cost per person.

Planning a retreat, whether it is a single day, a full weekend, or a week-long event, can be complicated. Here are some ideas to think about as you plan your retreat experience.

Be clear of the purpose of your retreat. Be able to state it in one short sentence.

Plan Ahead. People are very busy. Allow your participants time to get the dates on their calendars. Depending on the time of year, you should probably allow a minimum of 4 months lead time for even a one day retreat. If you are holding a week long event, a 10 to 12 month lead time is realistic.

Arrange for any presenters or speakers well in advance.

Arrange for the location of your retreat at least a year out. Rainbow Lodge can book up to 3 years in advance!

Establish a realistic budget. Budgets should include (at the least): Facilities and meal costs, program costs (including presenter honorariums or fees, travel expenses, extra lodging, printing, etc.). Don’t forget other items such as insurance, promotion and miscellaneous items. It is always good to add 5-10% for a cushion.

Analyze your program and determine obstacles you may need to overcome to have a successful retreat. Some things to consider calendar might be calendar conflicts, weather, and ways of overcoming any reticence on the part of potential attendees.

Be aware of the potential medical needs of your attendees. It might be good to have a designated first aid person on site.

Know of the special needs of any of your attendees and communicate with the facility what those are. Pay special attention to dietary needs and food allergies.

Tour the facility prior to your arrival for your retreat (or better, before booking). Nothing is better than seeing the site in person to determine how to best use the site for your program.

Communicate early and often with the staff at the retreat center so that all are working “on the same page” toward the success of your event.

Bonus thought: Make sure you are able to enjoy the retreat yourself! The better the planning, the better the chance of that happening.

A fruit basket or snack assortment in the room of your guest speaker or major presenter is a great way of welcoming them. Flower arrangements or balloons are often fun too. You might even arrange for a store to deliver in advance - just make sure to check with the Lodge in advance to make sure someone will be available to accept the delivery.